Carrying Arrangement

ABSTRACT

A carrying arrangement for a hand-guided power tool has a carrying element to be guided across a shoulder of an operator and a shoulder support arranged slidably in a longitudinal direction on the carrying element. A friction-reducing element for reducing friction between the carrying element and the shoulder support is provided. The shoulder support has a shoulder section and a lateral support section connected to the shoulder section. The carrying element is arranged on the shoulder section and the lateral support section rests against a side of the operator. In this way, excellent force distribution during operation is ensured.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a carrying arrangement for a hand-guided power tool that comprises a carrying element to be guided across the shoulder of the operator and further comprises a shoulder support that is arranged slidably in a longitudinal direction on the carrying element.

DE 26 11 873 A1 discloses a shaking device with a carrying strap. The carrying strap is guided in a shoulder support in the area of the shoulder of the operator. The strap is embodied as a diagonal strap, i.e., extends across the shoulder of the operator that is facing away from the power tool and is secured with both ends on the power tool.

In such carrying straps, the strap and the shoulder support are usually designed such that the shoulder support is slidable in the longitudinal direction along the strap; however, a movement of the strap relative to the shoulder support is not possible in operation under load. Therefore, when pivoting the power tool in operation, the operator must move the shoulder support on his shoulder and the operator can be impaired by the shoulder support.

In the case of such diagonal straps, forces are acting in the vertical direction as well as in the horizontal direction. The horizontal forces have the effect that the strap is pressed against the neck of the operator in the area of the shoulder of the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrying arrangement of the aforementioned kind that avoids impairment of the operator during operation of the power tool.

In order to prevent that the operator must move the shoulder support on his shoulder during operation of the power tool, it is provided that the carrying arrangement has means for reducing the friction between the carrying element and the shoulder support. By reducing friction, it is possible for the carrying element to slide in operation and under load in the longitudinal direction of the shoulder support. Pivoting of the powertool thus only has the effect of changing the position of the carrying element relative to the shoulder support. The shoulder support can stay in place on the shoulder of the operator. This enables unimpaired working.

Advantageously, a slideway is provided on the shoulder support for reducing the friction. In particular, the slideway is embodied on a flexible sliding plate on which the carrying element will rest in operation. By designing the sliding plate to be flexible, the sliding plate will conform easily to the body shape of the operator. In this way, an ergonomically designed carrying arrangement is enabled. Advantageously, the sliding plate is made from plastic material. A sliding plate of plastic material can be produced in a simple way and can be connected to the shoulder support, for example, by being sewn on. Relative to conventional materials of carrying elements such as straps, cables or the like, plastic material has a minimal coefficient of friction so that the carrying element can be moved with minimal force expenditure within the shoulder support when the power tool is connected to the carrying element.

In order to be able to receive the lateral forces occurring in operation of the power tool in an excellent and ergonomic way, it is provided that the shoulder support has a shoulder section and a lateral support section that is connected to the shoulder section. On the shoulder section the carrying element is arranged and the lateral support section is designed for resting against a side of the operator. The shoulder section thus receives the forces acting vertically on the operator while the support section receives the horizontal forces at the side of the operator. In this way, it is prevented that the carrying element can move in the direction toward the neck of the operator and thereby impair or hinder the operator. Because the lateral support section according to the invention is directly connected to the shoulder section, a simple configuration is provided. Existing carrying arrangements can also be provided with a support section by simply exchanging the shoulder support. Advantageously, the lateral support section is comprised at least partially of a mesh material. Mesh material is very expandable so that an adjustment to the size of the operator can be realized. Moreover, the mesh material is thin and air-permeable so that a high carrying comfort is provided.

Advantageously, the lateral support section and the shoulder section are connected to one another in an area of the shoulder section that is to be positioned on the chest part of the operator and in an area of the shoulder section that is to be positioned on the back of the operator so that an arm opening for the arm of the operator is formed. In this way, the shoulder support can be put on like half a vest by the operator in that the operator pushes his arm through the arm opening. The shoulder support is secured in this way in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction on the operator so that slipping or sliding is prevented. A positional fixation by additional straps, for example, a hip strap or the like, is therefore not required. Advantageously, the lower edge of the lateral support section is displaced relative to the lower edge of the shoulder section in the direction toward the free end of the carrying element. In this way, a large arm opening with comparatively minimal length of the shoulder section can be realized. In carrying arrangements with an adjusting device for adjusting the length of the carrying element, the maximum adjustment travel can be enlarged by means of the displacement between the lower edges of the shoulder section and the support section.

Expediently, the shoulder support has at least one loop through which the carrying element can be passed. However, it can also be provided that the shoulder support has a passage through which the carrying element can be guided. The passage is in particular embodied as a tube. Expediently, the carrying element has at its free ends a fastening element, respectively, for fixation of the carrying element on the power tool. In order to be able to put on the carrying element in a simple way, it is provided that the carrying element has a first section on which the shoulder support is secured and a second section; the first section and the second section of the carrying element are connected to one another by a releasable buckle. The operator can secure the two sections on the power tool, while the power tool is still resting on the ground. In order to put on the carrying element, the operator will squat and place the first section of the carrying element across his shoulder. By closing the buckle that is arranged expediently on the chest part of the operator, the two sections are connected to one another and the carrying arrangement is now put on. The carrying arrangement has advantageously an adjusting device for adjusting the length of the carrying element. In this way, a simple adjustment of the carrying element to the body height of the operator is possible. Advantageously, the shoulder support is embodied as a shoulder pad. In this way, the forces that are produced during operation of the power tool can be introduced excellently into the shoulder of the operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a power tool that is carried by means of a carrying arrangement by an operator.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a carrying arrangement.

FIG. 3 is a schematic section illustration taken along the section line Ill-lIl in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another carrying arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a yet another carrying arrangement.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the carrying arrangement of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of the shoulder pad of the carrying arrangement of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of another carrying arrangement.

FIG. 9 is a schematic section illustration of a shoulder support.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The carrying arrangement 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 serves for carrying a hand-guided motor-operated power tool 3 such as a trimmer, an olive harvesting device or the like. The carrying arrangement 1 has a strap 10 provided at each end with a hook 4 with which the strap 10 is secured on the power tool 3. Instead of the strap 10, it is also possible to employ a different kind of carrying element, for example, a chain, a cable, or the like. The strap 10 is embodied as a diagonal strap and is guided across the shoulder of the operator 2 that is remote from the power tool 3. The power tool 3 has a housing 7 from which a guide rod 6 projects. In the housing 7, a drive motor, particularly an internal combustion engine, is arranged and drives a drive shaft arranged in the guide rod 6. Depending on the type of power tool, the drive shaft can rotate or can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction. One hook 4 is arranged on the housing 7. Two handles 8 are secured on the guide rod 6. The second hook 4 is arranged on the guide rod 6 in the area between the two handles 8 and the housing 7.

The strap 10 has a first section 35 that extends diagonally from the hook 4 arranged on the housing 7 across the back of the operator 2 and across the shoulder of the operator 2 that is facing away from the power tool 3. A second section 36 of the strap 10 extends, starting at the hook 4 neighboring the two handles 8, in the direction toward the first section 35. The two sections 35 and 36 are connected to one another by a releasable buckle 5. The buckle 5 is provided with an adjusting device 37 with which the length of the first section 35 of the strap 10 can be adjusted.

In FIG. 2, the carrying arrangement 1 is shown in more detail. On the first section 35 of the strap 10, a shoulder pad 11 is arranged in the area of the shoulder 42 of the operator 2. The shoulder pad 11 has a tunnel-like passage 12 through which the strap 10 is guided. The shoulder pad 11 extends on the chest part of the operator 2 approximately to chest level and on the back of the operator 2 approximately to the level of the shoulder blade; the shoulder pad 11 supports the strap 10 relative to the shoulder 42 of the operator 2.

FIG. 3 shows a section of the shoulder pad 11. On the shoulder pad 11, a sliding plate 14 is secured, for example, by being sewn on. The sliding plate 14 forms a slideway 13 for the strap 10. The sliding plate 14 extends across the entire length of the shoulder pad 11 so that the strap 10 rests on the sliding plate 14 with its entire length guided in the shoulder pad 11. The sliding plate 14 is comprised of a flexible plastic material that has a minimal coefficient of friction relative to the material of the strap 10. In this way, the strap 10 can be moved in the passage 12 even when the power tool 3 is attached to the carrying element 1.

One embodiment of the carrying arrangement 15 is shown in FIG. 4. The carrying arrangement 15 corresponds substantially to that of the carrying arrangement 1. The carrying arrangement 15 has a shoulder support in the form of a shoulder pad 16 that has several loops 17. The strap 10 is passed through the loops 17. In the area in which the strap 10 rests on the shoulder pad 16, the shoulder pad 16 has a slideway 13. Hooks 4 for attachment to a power tool are provided on the free ends 9 of the strap 10 that forms the carrying element.

A further embodiment for a carrying arrangement 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. The carrying arrangement 28 has a shoulder pad 21 in which the strap 10 is arranged in a passage 22. The passage 22 also has a slideway 14 that is shown in FIG. 7. The strap 10 can thus be moved within the passage 22 even when the strap 10 is under load.

The shoulder pad 21 has a shoulder section 19 which essentially corresponds to the shoulder pad 11 of the carrying arrangement 1. The shoulder section 19 has a forward area 38 that is arranged in operation on the chest part of the operator 2 as well as a rearward area 39 (FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) that in operation is arranged on the back of the operator 2. At the level of a lower edge 18 of the shoulder section 19, a lateral support section 24 extends between the forward area 38 and the rearward area 39. The lateral support section 24 is secured at the forward area 38 and at the rearward area 39. The shoulder section 19 and the lateral support section 24 define an arm opening 23 through which the operator 2 extends his arm 44. The lateral support section 24 has a lower edge 28 that is displaced relative to the lower edge 18 toward the free end 49 of the strap 10. Because the lower edge 18 is closer to the shoulder 42 of the operator 22, the strap length that is available for length adjustment is enlarged. The free strap length that is not arranged within the passage 22 is enlarged. As indicated by the dashed lines 28′, the displacement of the edge 28 relative to the edge 18 can be comparatively large. However, the support section 24 can be arranged also at the level of the lower edge 18. In operation, the lateral support section 24 is positioned in the area of a side 43 of the operator 2 which side is facing away from the power tool 3. The lateral support section 24 takes up forces acting in the vertical direction and introduces them into the operator 2. In this way, on the shoulder section 19 no forces are acting in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the shoulder section 19 and the lateral support section 24 can be made of the same material. However, it can also be provided that the support section 24 is made from a different material. Advantageously, the support section 24 is comprised of mesh material 33, at least in the area underneath the arm 44 of the operator 2. This is illustrated in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 8, a further embodiment of a carrying arrangement 25 is shown. The strap 10 of the carrying arrangement 25 is guided in a shoulder pad 26 on the shoulder 42 of the operator 2. The shoulder pad 26 has loops 27 through which the strap 10 is passed. On the shoulder pad 26 a slideway, not illustrated, for the strap 10 is formed on which the strap 10 is resting. The shoulder pad 26 has a shoulder section 31 that extends across the shoulder 42 of the operator 2. The shoulder section 31 has a lateral edge 32 that is facing away from the power tool 3. The lateral support section 29 is secured on the lateral edge 32. The lateral support section 29 is secured to the shoulder section 31 across the entire length of the shoulder section 31. The lateral support section 29 forms an arm opening 34 for the arm 44 of the operator 2. The lateral support section 29 is supported on the side 43 of the operator 2 and receives transverse forces. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lateral support section 29 is comprised of a different material than the shoulder section 31, i.e., of an air-permeable mesh material 33.

A section view of a further embodiment of a carrying arrangement 50 is illustrated in FIG. 9. The carrying arrangement 50 corresponds substantially to the carrying arrangement 1. The carrying arrangement 50 has a carrying element in the form of a cable 56 provided with means (not illustrated) for length adjustment and for connection to the power tool. The carrying arrangement 50 has a shoulder pad 51 on which a tube 55 is arranged. The tube 55 forms a passage 52 for the cable 56. For improved distribution of the introduced forces, the shoulder pad 51 can have a support plate 54, indicated in FIG. 9 in dashed lines, on which the tube 55 is arranged. The tube 55 forms of sliding surface 53 that reduces friction between the cable 56 and the shoulder pad 51. The shoulder pad 51 can be provided with a lateral support section.

Instead of the cable 56 and the strap 10, other carrying elements such as a chain or the like can be used also.

The specification incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of German priority document 10 2006 010 557.5 having a filing date of 6 Mar. 2006.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

1. A carrying arrangement for a hand-guided power tool, the carrying arrangement comprising: a carrying element to be guided across a shoulder of an operator; a shoulder support arranged slidably in a longitudinal direction on the carrying element; a friction-reducing element for reducing friction between the carrying element and the shoulder support.
 2. The carrying arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the friction-reducing element is a slideway provided on the shoulder support.
 3. The carrying arrangement according to claim 2, further comprising a flexible sliding plate that is provided with the slideway, wherein in operation the carrying element is resting on the sliding plate.
 4. The carrying arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the sliding plate is a comprised of plastic material.
 5. The carrying arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder support has at least one loop and the carrying element is passed through the at least one loop.
 6. The carrying arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder support has a passage and the carrying element is passed through the passage.
 7. The carrying arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the passage is a tube.
 8. The carrying arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the carrying element has free ends each provided with a fastening element for attaching the carrying element to a power tool.
 9. The carrying arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the carrying element has a first section, a second section, and a releasable buckle connecting the first and second sections, wherein the shoulder support is arranged on the first section.
 10. The carrying arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting device for adjusting a length of the carrying element.
 11. The carrying arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder support is a shoulder pad.
 12. A carrying arrangement for a hand-guided power tool, the carrying arrangement comprising: a carrying element to be guided across a shoulder of an operator; a shoulder support arranged slidably in a longitudinal direction on the carrying element; wherein the shoulder support has a shoulder section and a lateral support section connected to the shoulder section; wherein the carrying element is arranged on the shoulder section; wherein the lateral support section is adapted to rest against a side of an operator.
 13. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, further comprising a friction-reducing element for reducing friction between the carrying element and the shoulder support.
 14. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the friction-reducing element is a slideway provided on the shoulder support.
 15. The carrying arrangement according to claim 14, further comprising a flexible sliding plate that is provided with the slideway, wherein in operation the carrying element is resting on the sliding plate.
 16. The carrying arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the sliding plate is a comprised of plastic material.
 17. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the lateral support section is comprised at least partially of a mesh material.
 18. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the lateral support section and the shoulder section are connected to one another in an area of the shoulder section that is to be positioned on a chest part of an operator and in an area of the shoulder section that is to be positioned on a back of the operator, wherein the lateral support section and the shoulder section form an arm opening for an arm of the operator.
 19. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the lateral support section has a lower edge and the shoulder section has a lower edge, wherein the lower edge of the lateral support section is displaced in a direction toward a free end of the carrying element.
 20. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the shoulder support has at least one loop and the carrying element is passed through the at least one loop.
 21. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the shoulder support has a passage and the carrying element is passed through the passage.
 22. The carrying arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the passage is a tube.
 23. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the carrying element has free ends each provided with a fastening element for attaching the carrying element to a power tool.
 24. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the carrying element has a first section, a second section, and a releasable buckle connecting the first and second sections, wherein the shoulder support is arranged on the first section.
 25. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, further comprising an adjusting device for adjusting a length of the carrying element.
 26. The carrying arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the shoulder support is a shoulder pad. 